Free Sale Sugar Quota of 2.3 Million Tonnes Fixed for April

27-Mar-2026 05:10 PM

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Food has announced a total sugar quota of 2.3 million tonnes for millers across the country for sale in the domestic market during April 2026. This figure is 50,000 tonnes higher than the quota fixed for March (2.25 million tonnes), yet 50,000 tonnes (2.1 percent) lower than the quota allocated for April 2025 (2.35 million tonnes).

Notably, the industry and trade sectors had projected that the free sale sugar quota for April 2026 would be set within the range of 2.30 to 2.35 million tonnes. With rising temperatures, expectations are high that industrial demand for sugar will remain robust during April.

However, ISMA (Indian Sugar Mills Association) suggests that millers may not succeed in selling their entire allocated quota for March, leaving a portion of that stock unsold. The government may take a decision regarding this matter at a later stage.

If permission is granted to sell the unsold stock from March during the month of April, the overall supply and availability of sugar will increase; consequently, despite the anticipated strong industrial demand, the likelihood of a sharp surge in sugar prices would diminish.

Typically, the onset of intense heat during April and May drives up the demand for cold drinks and ice cream, prompting manufacturers of these products to procure sugar in larger quantities. While this scenario usually creates expectations of rising prices, if the supply and availability situation remains comfortable, manufacturers of ice cream and cold drinks are unlikely to show any urgency in making their sugar purchases.